Hockey stick or other sports implement

ABSTRACT

A hockey stick or other sports implement for a player. The hockey stick or other sports implement may comprise a taping guide for guiding application of tape on the hockey stick or sports implement. The taping guide may indicate where to start applying the tape and where to stop applying the tape. The taping guide may indicate a direction in which the tape is to be applied. The taping guide may indicate a pitch of the tape to be wrapped about the hockey stick or sports element. The taping guide may comprise a symbol, gradation or text relating to application of the tape. The hockey stick or sports implement may comprise a blade-taping guide and a handle-taping guide. The hockey stick or other sports implement may have certain stiffness or flexibility characteristics to better accommodate the player&#39;s needs.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to sports implements and, more particularly, to hockey sticks and other sports implements (e.g., lacrosse sticks).

BACKGROUND

Sports implements are used in various sports to strike, propel, or otherwise move a puck, ball, or other object.

For example, in ice hockey, a hockey player uses a hockey stick to move, pass, and shoot a puck during a game. The hockey stick is typically taped in certain areas. For instance, a blade of the hockey stick can be taped to protect it against wear, provide a grip on the puck (e.g., by preventing moisture build-up on the blade), and potentially allow the player to impart more spin on the puck, while a handle of the hockey stick can be taped to enhance the player's grip. Wax may also be applied on the hockey stick's blade to help protect the tape, prevent unraveling of the tape due to moisture, and reduce friction at a bottom of the blade.

While taping a hockey stick can be beneficial, how to tape a hockey stick may not always be apparent for some people. For example, some players and other individuals new to hockey (e.g., children and their parents) may not readily know how (e.g., where, to what extent, in which direction, etc.) to tape their hockey sticks. This may lead to hockey sticks that are improperly taped, which in turn may affect play and performance.

Mechanical properties of a hockey stick can affect a player's performance. For example, stiffness or flexibility characteristics of the hockey stick, sometimes referred to as “flex”, can affect power and accuracy of shots and passes and/or other aspects of the player's play. While hockey sticks of various stiffness or flexibility characteristics have been developed, they may not be optimal for certain types or categories of players (e.g., children or other young individuals learning to play hockey).

Similar issues often arise in other sports, such as lacrosse or baseball, in which players use sticks or other sports implements.

For these and other reasons, there is a need for improvements in hockey sticks and other sports implements.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first broad aspect, the invention provides a hockey stick comprising an elongate member to be held by a hockey player and a taping guide for guiding application of tape on the hockey stick.

According to another broad aspect, the invention provides a hockey stick comprising a blade and a shaft to be held by a hockey player. The shaft comprises a handle. The hockey stick comprises a blade-taping guide for guiding application of tape on the blade and a handle-taping guide for guiding application of tape on the handle.

According to a further broad aspect, the invention provides a taping guide for a hockey stick. The taping guide comprises an inner surface for interfacing with the hockey stick and an outer surface for guiding application of tape on the hockey stick.

According to another broad aspect, the invention provides a kit for use with a hockey stick. The hockey stick comprises an elongate member to be held by a hockey player. The kit comprises a taping guide for guiding application of tape on the hockey stick and an end cap mountable to the elongate member adjacent a handle.

According to a further broad aspect, the invention provides a sports implement comprising an elongate member to be held by a player and a graphical taping guide for guiding application of tape on the sports implement.

According to another broad aspect, the invention provides a sports implement comprising an elongate member to be held by a player, an end cap mountable to the elongate member adjacent a handle, and a taping guide for guiding application of tape on the sports implement.

According to a further broad aspect, the invention provides a hockey stick comprising a blade and a shaft to be held by a hockey player. The shaft has a cross-section that has a major axis defining a major dimension of the cross-section of the shaft and a minor axis defining a minor dimension of the cross-section of the shaft. A stiffness of the hockey stick in bending about the major axis of the cross-section of the shaft is lower than 4.35 kN/m.

According to another broad aspect, the invention provides a hockey stick comprising a blade and a shaft to be held by a hockey player. The shaft has a cross-section that has a major axis defining a major dimension of the cross-section of the shaft and a minor axis defining a minor dimension of the cross-section of the shaft. A ratio of (1) a stiffness of the hockey stick in bending about the major axis of the cross-section of the shaft over (2) a length of the hockey stick is lower than 3.7 [kN/m]/m.

According to a further broad aspect, the invention provides a hockey stick comprising a blade and a shaft to be held by a hockey player. The shaft has a cross-section having a major axis defining a major dimension of the cross-section of the shaft and a minor axis defining a minor dimension of the cross-section of the shaft. The shaft has an effective cross-sectional area defined as a product of the major dimension and the minor dimension of the cross-section of the shaft. A ratio of (1) a stiffness of the hockey stick in bending about the major axis of the cross-section of the shaft over (2) the effective cross-sectional area of the shaft is lower than 1 [kN/m]/cm².

According to another broad aspect, the invention provides a hockey stick comprising a blade and a shaft to be held by a hockey player. The shaft has a cross-section having a major axis defining a major dimension of the cross-section of the shaft and a minor axis defining a minor dimension of the cross-section of the shaft. The shaft has an effective cross-sectional area defined as a product of the major dimension and the minor dimension of the cross-section of the shaft. A ratio of (1) a stiffness of the hockey stick in bending about the major axis of the cross-section of the shaft over (2) a ratio of (i) the effective cross-sectional area of the shaft over (ii) a length of the hockey stick is lower than 1.2 [kN/m]/[cm²/m].

According to a further broad aspect, the invention provides a hockey stick comprising a blade and a shaft to be held by a hockey player. The shaft has a cross-section having a major axis defining a major dimension of the cross-section of the shaft and a minor axis defining a minor dimension of the cross-section of the shaft. The shaft has an effective cross-sectional area defined as a product of the major dimension and the minor dimension of the cross-section of the shaft. A ratio of (1) an average stiffness of the hockey stick in bending about the major axis and the minor axis of the cross-section of the shaft over (2) the effective cross-sectional area of the shaft is lower than 1.2 [kN/m]/cm².

According to another broad aspect, the invention provides a hockey stick comprising a blade and a shaft to be held by a hockey player. The shaft has a cross-section having a major axis defining a major dimension of the cross-section of the shaft and a minor axis defining a minor dimension of the cross-section of the shaft. The shaft has an effective cross-sectional area defined as a product of the major dimension and the minor dimension of the cross-section of the shaft. A ratio of (1) an average stiffness of the hockey stick in bending about the major axis and the minor axis of the cross-section of the shaft over (2) a ratio of (i) the effective cross-sectional area of the shaft over (ii) a length of the hockey stick is lower than 1.4 [kN/m]/[cm²/m].

According to a further broad aspect, the invention provides a hockey stick comprising a blade and a shaft to be held by a hockey player. The shaft has a cross-section that has a major axis defining a major dimension of the cross-section of the shaft and a minor axis defining a minor dimension of the cross-section of the shaft. The shaft has an effective cross-sectional area defined as a product of the major dimension and the minor dimension of the cross-section of the shaft. A ratio of (1) a stiffness of the shaft in bending about the major axis of its cross-section over (2) a ratio of (i) the effective cross-sectional area of the shaft over (ii) a length of the hockey stick is lower than 2.8 [kN/m]/[cm²/m].

According to another broad aspect, the invention provides a hockey stick comprising a blade and a shaft to be held by a hockey player. The shaft has a cross-section having a major axis defining a major dimension of the cross-section of the shaft and a minor axis defining a minor dimension of the cross-section of the shaft. The shaft has an effective cross-sectional area defined as a product of the major dimension and the minor dimension of the cross-section of the shaft. A ratio of (1) an average stiffness of the shaft in bending about the major axis and the minor axis of its cross-section over (2) a ratio of (i) the effective cross-sectional area of the shaft over (ii) a length of the hockey stick is lower than 3.2 [kN/m]/[cm²/m].

According to a further broad aspect, the invention provides a shaft for a hockey stick in which the shaft has one or more features as mentioned above.

These and other aspects of the invention will now become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon review of the following description of embodiments of the invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A detailed description of embodiments of the invention is provided below, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 shows an example of a sports implement in accordance with an embodiment of the invention, in which the sports implement is a hockey stick;

FIG. 2 shows a blade of the hockey stick comprising a taping guide;

FIG. 3 shows part of a handle of the hockey stick comprising a taping guide;

FIGS. 4 to 4D show an end cap of the hockey stick;

FIG. 5 shows an example of the hockey stick with tape applied on it;

FIG. 6 shows an example of the taping guide of the blade comprising a sticker;

FIGS. 7 and 7A show a variant in which the sticker is transparent;

FIG. 8 shows an example of a construction of the blade;

FIG. 9 shows a cross-sectional view of the blade of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 shows a side view of the hockey stick;

FIG. 11 shows a cross-section of a shaft of the hockey stick;

FIG. 12 shows a three-point bending test conducted on the hockey stick;

FIG. 13 shows another three-point bending test conducted on the hockey stick;

FIG. 14 shows another three-point bending test conducted on the hockey stick; and

FIG. 15 shows another three-point bending test conducted on the hockey stick.

It is to be expressly understood that the description and drawings are only for the purpose of illustrating certain embodiments of the invention and are an aid for understanding. They are not intended to be a definition of the limits of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 shows an example of a sports implement 10 for use by a player playing a sport, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The sports implement 10 comprises an elongate member 12 configured to be held by the player and an object-contacting member 14 configured to contact an object (e.g., a puck or ball) intended to be moved in a game. In this embodiment, the sport is ice hockey and the sports implement 10 is a hockey stick for use by the player to pass, shoot or otherwise move a puck. The elongate member 12 of the hockey stick 10 comprises a shaft 16 and the object-contacting member 14 of the hockey stick 10 comprises a blade 18. The shaft 16 comprises a handle 20 of the hockey stick 10.

As further discussed below, in this embodiment, the hockey stick 10 is configured to facilitate application of tape on the hockey stick 10. Notably, the hockey stick 10 is configured to provide guidance on how to tape the hockey stick 10. More particularly, in this embodiment, the hockey stick 10 is configured to guide application of tape on its handle 20 and its blade 18. This may be particularly useful, for example, if the player or another individual desiring to tape the hockey stick 10 is new to hockey and does not already know how (e.g., where, to what extent, in which direction, etc.) to tape the hockey stick 10. For instance, this may be particularly useful in examples in which the player is a child or other young person starting or still learning to play hockey.

The shaft 16 is configured to be held by the player to use the hockey stick 10. The shaft 16 includes a front surface 17 and a rear surface 19 opposite one another, as well as a top surface 21 and a bottom surface 23 opposite one another. Longitudinal proximal and distal end portions 33, 35 of the shaft 16 are respectively adjacent to the handle 20 and the blade 18 and define a length of the shaft 16. A length L of the hockey stick 10 is measured from a proximal end 71 of the shaft 16 along the top surface 21 of the shaft 16 through the blade 18, as shown in FIG. 10. A cross-section of the shaft 16 may have any suitable configuration. For instance, in this embodiment, with additional reference to FIG. 11, the cross-section of the shaft 16 has a major axis 59 which defines a major dimension D of the shaft's cross-section and a minor axis 63 which defines a minor dimension W of the shaft's cross-section. An effective cross-sectional area A of the shaft 16 is defined as a product of the major dimension D and the minor dimension W of the shaft's cross section (i.e., A=DW). In this example, the cross-section of the shaft 16 is generally polygonal. More particularly, in this example, the cross-section of the shaft 16 is generally rectangular, with the front surface 17, the rear surface 19, the top surface 21, and the bottom surface 23 being generally flat. Corners between these surfaces of the shaft 16 may be rounded corners.

In this embodiment, the shaft 16 is a composite shaft. That is, the shaft 16 is at least mainly (i.e., mainly or entirely) made of composite material. For example, in this embodiment, the shaft 16 comprises a wall 67 made of the composite material and forming a cavity 68 which extends along at least part, in this case all, of its length. The cavity 16 may be hollow or may contain a filler (e.g., foam). For instance, the shaft 16 may be a fiber-matrix composite shaft comprising fibers disposed within a hardened resin matrix. The fibers may be aligned and oriented in defined directions with an outer layer often being a woven fiber. Various fibers may be employed including carbon, aramid, boron, glass, etc. The shaft 16 may have aligned layers of fibers and a woven outer layer. The shaft 16 may be formed by wrapping plies over a mandrel and then curing or by overlaying fibers around a mandrel that is then fed into a heating element to cure the resin.

The shaft 16 may have any other suitable shape and/or be constructed in any other suitable way in other embodiments. For example, in some embodiments, the cross-section of the shaft 16 may have any other suitable configuration (e.g., the front surface 17, the rear surface 19, the top surface 21, and/or the bottom surface 23 may be curved and/or angular and/or have any other suitable shape) and/or may vary along the length of the shaft 16. As another example, in some embodiments, the shaft 16 may comprise wood, aluminum or any other suitable material (e.g., the shaft 16 may be a metallic shaft made of aluminum or other suitable metal, may be made of a combination of metal and fiber composite, or may be a wooden shaft).

The blade 18 is configured to allow the player to pass, shoot or otherwise move the puck. With additional reference to FIG. 2, in this embodiment, the blade 18 comprises a shank 22, a heel 24 and a blade element 26. The heel 24 is located at a junction of the shank 22 and the blade element 26. The shank 22 interfaces with the shaft 16. In some embodiments where the blade 18 is adapted to be inserted into a hollow space of the shaft 16 (e.g., the cavity 68), the shank 22 may comprise a tenon for insertion in that hollow space. A periphery 51 of the blade 18 comprises a front surface 53 and a rear surface 55 opposite one another, as well as a top edge 27, a tip edge 28 and a bottom edge 29.

In this embodiment, with additional reference to FIGS. 8 and 9, the blade 18 comprises a foam core 45 wrapped with one or more layers of fiber material 82. The foam core 45 may include one or more foam materials (e.g., polyurethane foam, etc.). The layers of fiber material 82 may include fibers (e.g., glass fibers, carbon fibers, aramid fibers, etc.) that may have been preimpregnated with resin to be taped on the foam core 45 during manufacturing. In some embodiments, the layers of fiber material 82 may be stitched to the foam core 45 during manufacturing.

The blade 18 may have any other suitable shape and/or be constructed in any other suitable way in other embodiments. For example, in some embodiments, the blade 18 may comprise a wooden core. Also, the blade 18 may be a replaceable component of the hockey stick 10 and thus removable from the shaft 16.

In this embodiment, the hockey stick 10 comprises taping guides 30, 32 to guide application of tape on the hockey stick 10. Each of the taping guides 30, 32 provides guidance on how to tape the hockey stick 10 to an individual, who may be the player or another person desiring to tape the hockey stick 10. More particularly, in this embodiment, with additional reference to FIG. 5, the taping guide 30 is located at the blade 18 to guide application of tape 40 on the blade 18 (and can thus be referred to as a “blade-taping guide”), while the taping guide 32 is located at the handle 20 to guide application of tape 42 on the handle 20 (and can thus be referred to as a “handle-taping guide”). Each of the tape 40 and the tape 42 is an adhesive tape that creates an adhesive bond with the hockey stick 10.

With continued reference to FIG. 2, in this embodiment, the taping guide 30 comprises a plurality of tape-guiding marks 36 ₁-36 _(M) that provide information which guides how to apply the tape 40 on the blade 18. More particularly, in this embodiment, the tape-guiding mark 36 ₁ is a tape start indicator indicating where to start applying the tape 40 and the tape-guiding mark 36 _(M) is a tape end indicator indicating where to stop applying the tape 40. The tape-guiding mark 36 ₂ is a symbol (e.g., an arrow) or text indicating a direction in which to apply the tape 40. A pitch of the tape 40 to be wrapped about the blade 18 is indicated by a gradation defined by lines formed by respective ones of the tape-guiding marks 36 ₁-36 _(M). In this case, the indicated pitch is uniform throughout a length of the tape guide 30. In other cases, the indicated pitch may be non-uniform, i.e. varying along the length of the tape guide 30.

The tape-guiding marks 36 ₁-36 _(M) of the taping guide 30 may be implemented in any other suitable way in other embodiments (e.g., any other helpful indication for application of tape via a pictorial representation or a descriptive text).

In this embodiment, the taping guide 30 is a graphical taping guide. That is, the taping guide 30 graphically conveys the information which guides how to apply the tape 40 on the blade 18. More particularly, in this embodiment, the taping guide 30 is a printed taping guide. The tape-guiding marks 36 ₁-36 _(M) are thus planar (i.e., two-dimensional) marks.

In this embodiment, the taping guide 30 is affixed on the periphery 51 of the blade 18. More particularly, in this embodiment, the taping guide 30 is adhered on the periphery 51 of the blade 18 such that there is an adhesive bond between the taping guide 30 and the periphery 51 of the blade 18.

More specifically, in this embodiment, the taping guide 30 comprises a sticker 50 adhered on the periphery 51 of the blade 18. As shown in FIG. 6, the sticker 50 comprises an inner surface 64 interfacing with the periphery 51 of the blade 18 and an outer surface 66 including the tape-guiding marks 36 ₁-36 _(M). In this example, the sticker 50 is adhered on the front surface 53 of the blade 18. In some cases, the sticker 50 may be wrapped about the blade 18 such that it extends on the front surface 53 and the rear surface 55 of the blade 18. In other cases, a similar sticker may be adhered on the rear surface 55 of the blade 18.

The sticker 50 may be implemented in any suitable way. For example, in this embodiment, the sticker 50 may comprise a decal (e.g., a solution transfer decal) applied to the periphery 51 of the blade 18. For instance, in some embodiments, the decal may be a water slide decal that may be made of an epoxy-based ink supported by a protective film (e.g., an epoxy-based film). In some cases, an adhesive may be applied on the periphery 51 of the blade 18 to enhance bonding between the decal and the periphery 51 of the blade 18. The sticker 50 may be implemented in any other suitable manner in other embodiments.

In some embodiments, the outer surface 66 of the sticker 50 may be configured to bond with the tape 40 such that the bond between the sticker 50 and the tape 40 is releasable to allow removal of the tape 40 without destroying the sticker 50. In other words, the bond between the sticker 50 and the tape 40 is a weak one. For example, the bond between the sticker 50 and the hockey stick 10 may be stronger than the bond between the tape 40 and the sticker 50 such that, when the tape 40 is removed, the sticker 50 remains in place on the hockey stick 10 instead of being pulled off with the tape 40. For example, in some embodiments, this may be achieved through application of a release coating or liner on the outer surface 66 of the sticker 50, such as a silicone, polyethylene, wax or any other suitable coating.

In this embodiment, a shape of the taping guide 30 accommodates a shape of the blade 18. For example, in this embodiment, the taping guide 30 is of a generally rectangular shape and includes a curved upper edge portion 41 generally following a curvature of the top edge 27 of the blade 18 and a curved lower edge portion 43 generally following a curvature of the bottom edge 29 of the blade 18. The taping guide 30 may be shaped in any other suitable way in other embodiments.

In this embodiment, the taping guide 30 only partially covers the periphery 51 of the blade 18, i.e., does not completely enclose the periphery 51 of the blade 18, allowing the tape 40 to adhesively bond at non-covered regions 61 ₁-61 _(R) of the periphery 51 of the blade 18 that are not covered by the taping guide 30. This may enhance retention of the tape 40 on the blade 18. For example, in this embodiment, the non-covered regions 61 ₁-61 _(R) comprise regions of the top edge 27, the bottom edge 29 and the tip edge 28 of the blade 18 and regions adjacent to the heel 24 of the blade 18. In other embodiments, more or less surface area can be accorded to the non-covered regions 61 ₁-61 _(R) by varying dimensions of the taping guide 30 and/or the non-covered regions 61 ₁-61 _(R) may be positioned elsewhere on the blade 18.

With additional reference to FIG. 3, in this embodiment, the taping guide 32 comprises a plurality of tape-guiding marks 37 ₁-37 _(N) that provide information which guides how to apply the tape 42 on the proximal portion of the handle 20. The taping guide 32 and its tape-guiding marks 37 ₁-37 _(N) are implemented similarly to the taping guide 30 as discussed above.

In this embodiment, the hockey stick 10 comprises an end cap 60 mountable at the top of the proximal end portion 33 of the shaft 16 adjacent to the handle 20. The end cap 60 forms an enlargement that is larger than the cross-section of the shaft 16 at the handle 20. This may be useful, for instance, to help the player pick up the hockey stick 10 off the ice when it is dropped. The end cap 60 is removably mountable to the shaft 16 such that it can be mounted and removed from the shaft 16 as desired.

More particularly, in this embodiment, with additional reference to FIGS. 4 to 4D, the end cap 60 comprises a top portion 70 and a bottom portion 72. In this example, the top portion 70 has a generally rectangular cross-section with rounded corners and its cross-sectional dimensions are larger than those of the shaft 16. The bottom portion 72 of the end cap 60 has a generally rectangular cross-section with concave corners and its cross-sectional dimensions are smaller than those of the shaft 16. The bottom portion 72 is insertable into a hollow space of the shaft 16 (e.g., the cavity 68). For example, the hollow space of the shaft 16 may extend only at the proximal end portion 33 of the shaft 16 or throughout an entirety of the shaft's length. The bottom portion 72 is such that it fits tightly into the hollow space of shaft 16 to prevent the end cap 60 from being accidentally removed from the hockey stick 10 when used by the player. In this embodiment, the end cap 60 is made of rubber. In other embodiments, the end cap 60 may be made from any other suitable material.

Stiffness or flexibility characteristics of the hockey stick 10, sometimes referred to as “flex”, may be designed to accommodate the player's needs. For example, the stiffness or flexibility characteristics of the hockey stick 10 may be specified in terms of a stiffness K_(stick) of the hockey stick 10 in bending about a given axis (e.g., the major axis 59 or the minor axis 63) of the cross-section of the shaft 16 (i.e., a resistance of the hockey stick 10 to bend about the given axis) which is defined as a ratio of (1) a force F required to displace a midpoint of a span S of 1 m (i.e., one meter) by a predetermined distance δ of 30 mm over (2) the predetermined distance δ, i.e., K_(stick)=F/δ, in a three-point bending test where the force F is applied at the midpoint of the span S normal to the given axis and the span S extends between two support points 80 ₁, 80 ₂ and is centered with respect to the length L of the hockey stick 10. For instance, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 13, a stiffness K_(stick-x) of the hockey stick 10 in bending about the major axis 59 of the cross-section of the shaft 16 is defined as a ratio of (1) a force F_(x) required to displace the midpoint of the span S of 1 m by a predetermined distance δ_(x) of 30 mm over (2) the predetermined distance δ_(x), i.e., K_(stick-x)=F_(x)/δ_(x), where the force F_(x) is applied at the midpoint of the span S normal to the major axis 59 of the shaft's cross-section. Similarly, as shown in FIG. 12, a stiffness K_(stick-y) of the hockey stick 10 in bending about the minor axis 63 of the cross-section of the shaft 16 is defined as a ratio of (1) a force F_(y) required to displace the midpoint of the span S of 1 m by a predetermined distance δ_(y) of 30 mm over (2) the predetermined distance δ_(y), i.e., K_(stick-y)=F_(y)/δ_(y), where the force F_(y) is applied at the midpoint of the span S normal to the minor axis 63 of the shaft's cross-section. An average stiffness K_(stick-avg) of the hockey stick 10 in bending about the major axis 59 and the minor axis 63 of the cross-section of the shaft 16, which corresponds to an average of the stiffness K_(stick-x) and the stiffness K_(stick-y) of the hockey stick 10 (i.e., K_(stick-avg)=(K_(stick-x)+K_(stick-y))/2), may also be considered.

Alternatively or additionally, in some cases, the stiffness or flexibility characteristics of the hockey stick 10 may be specified in terms of a stiffness K_(shaft) of the shaft 16 in bending about a given axis (e.g., the major axis 59 or the minor axis 63) of its cross-section (i.e., a resistance of the shaft 16 to bend about the given axis) which is defined as a ratio of (1) a force F′ required to displace a midpoint of a span S′ of 76 cm (i.e., seventy-six centimeters, which is approximately 30 inches) by a predetermined distance δ′ of 15 mm over (2) the predetermined distance δ′, i.e., K_(shaft)=F′/δ′, in a three-point bending test where the force F′ is applied at the midpoint of the span S′ normal to the given axis and the span S extends from a first support point 84 ₁ located at 2.5 cm from the proximal end 71 of the shaft 16 to a second support point 84 ₂ located 76 cm away from the first support point 84 ₁. For instance, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 15, a stiffness K_(shaft-x) of the shaft 16 in bending about the major axis 59 of its cross-section is defined as a ratio of (1) a force F′_(x) required to displace the midpoint of the span S′ of 76 cm by a predetermined distance δ′_(x) of 15 mm over (2) the predetermined distance δ′_(x), i.e., K_(shaft-x)=F′_(x)/δ′_(x), where the force F′_(x) is applied at the midpoint of the span S′ normal to the major axis 59 of the shaft's cross-section. Similarly, as shown in FIG. 14, a stiffness K_(shaft-y) of the shaft 16 in bending about the minor axis 63 of its cross-section is defined as a ratio of (1) a force F′_(y) required to displace the midpoint of the span S′ of 76 cm by a predetermined distance δ′_(y) of 15 mm over (2) the predetermined distance δ′_(y), i.e., K_(shaft-y)=F′_(y)/δ′_(y), where the force F′_(y) is applied at the midpoint of the span S′ normal to the minor axis 63 of the shaft's cross-section. An average stiffness K_(shaft-avg) of the shaft 16 in bending about the major axis 59 and the minor axis 63 of its cross-section, which corresponds to an average of the stiffness K_(shaft-x) and the stiffness K_(shaft-y) of the shaft 16 (i.e., K_(shaft-avg)=(K_(shaft-x)+K_(shaft-y))/2), may also be considered.

In some embodiments (e.g., in which the player is a child or other young person), in order to better accommodate the player's needs, the stiffness or flexibility characteristics of the hockey stick 10 may be designed in relation to the hockey stick's size and geometry taking into account characteristics of the player's body, such as a height, a weight and/or a hand size of the player (e.g., a range of heights, weights and hand sizes deemed to be representative of that player's age group). For example, in some embodiments, the hockey stick 10 may have one or more of these stiffness or flexibility characteristics:

-   i. the stiffness K_(stick-x) of the hockey stick 10 in bending about     the major axis 59 of the cross-section of the shaft 16 may be lower     than 4.35 kN/m, in some cases lower than 4.3 kN/m, in some cases     lower than 4.25 kN/m, and in some cases lower than 4.2 kN/m; -   ii. a ratio K_(stick-x)/L of (1) the stiffness K_(stick-x) of the     hockey stick 10 in bending about the major axis 59 of the     cross-section of the shaft 16 over (2) the length L of the hockey     stick 10 may be lower than 3.7 [kN/m]/m, in some cases lower than     3.65 [kN/m]/m, and in some cases lower than 3.6 [kN/m]/m; -   iii. a ratio K_(stick-x)/A of (1) the stiffness K_(stick-x) of the     hockey stick 10 in bending about the major axis 59 of the     cross-section of the shaft 16 over (2) the effective cross-sectional     area A of the shaft 16 may be lower than 1 [kN/m]/cm², in some cases     lower than 0.95 [kN/m]/cm², and in some cases lower than 0.9     [kN/m]/cm²; -   iv. a ratio K_(stick-x)/(A/L) of (1) the stiffness K_(stick-x) of     the hockey stick 10 in bending about the major axis 59 of the     cross-section of the shaft 16 over (2) a ratio A/L of (i) the     effective cross-sectional area A of the shaft 16 over (ii) the     length L of the hockey stick 10 may be lower than 1.2     [kN/m]/[cm²/m], in some cases lower than 1.15 [kN/m]/[cm²/m], and in     some cases lower than 1.1 [kN/m]/[cm²/m]; -   v. a ratio K_(stick-avg)/A of (1) the average stiffness     K_(stick-avg) of the hockey stick 10 in bending about the major axis     59 and the minor axis 63 of the cross-section of the shaft 16     over (2) the effective cross-sectional area A of the shaft 16 may be     lower than 1.2 [kN/m]/cm², in some cases lower than 1.15 [kN/m]/cm²,     and in some cases lower than 1.1 [kN/m]/cm²; -   vi. a ratio K_(stick-avg)/(A/L) of (1) the average stiffness     K_(stick-avg) of the hockey stick 10 in bending about the major axis     59 and the minor axis 63 of the cross-section of the shaft 16     over (2) a ratio A/L of (i) the effective cross-sectional area A of     the shaft 16 over (ii) the length L of the hockey stick 10 may be     lower than 1.4 [kN/m]/[cm²/m], in some cases lower than 1.35     [kN/m]/[cm²/m], and in some cases lower than 1.3 [kN/m]/[cm²/m]; -   vii. a ratio K_(shaft-x)/(A/L) of (1) the stiffness K_(shaft-x) of     the shaft 16 in bending about the major axis 59 of its cross-section     over (2) a ratio A/L of (i) the effective cross-sectional area A of     the shaft 16 over (ii) the length L of the hockey stick 10 may be     lower than 2.8 [kN/m]/[cm²/m], in some cases lower than 2.7     [kN/m]/[cm²/m], in some cases lower than 2.6 [kN/m]/[cm²/m], in some     cases lower than 2.5 [kN/m]/[cm²/m], and in some cases lower than     2.4 [kN/m]/[cm²/m]; and/or -   viii. a ratio K_(shaft-avg)/(A/L) of (1) the average stiffness     K_(shaft-avg) of the shaft 16 in bending about the major axis 59 and     the minor axis 63 of its cross-section over (2) a ratio A/L of (i)     the effective cross-sectional area A of the shaft 16 over (ii) the     length L of the hockey stick 10 may be lower than 3.2     [kN/m]/[cm²/m], in some cases lower than 3.1 [kN/m]/[cm²/m], and in     some cases lower than 3 [kN/m]/[cm²/m].     The stiffness or flexibility characteristics of the hockey stick 10     may have any other suitable values in other embodiments.

The hockey stick 10 may be constructed in various other ways in other embodiments.

For example, in other embodiments, each of the taping guides 30, 32 may be configured in any other suitable way. For instance, in some embodiments, instead of comprising stickers adhered onto the handle 20 and the blade 18 of the hockey stick 10, in some embodiments, each of the taping guides 30, 32 may comprise a substance (e.g., ink or paint) applied directly onto the blade 18 and the handle 20 of the hockey stick 10 in order to guide how to apply the tape 40, 42 on the blade 18 and the handle 20. In other embodiments, the taping guides 30, 32 may comprise ridges or other projections or a textured area that guide application of the tape 40, 42. As another alternative, in some embodiments, each of the taping guides 30, 32 may comprise a sleeve including tape-guiding marks and wrapping about the blade 18 or handle 20.

As another example, in some embodiments, with additional reference to FIGS. 7 and 7A, each of the taping guides 30, 32 may be transparent to show an underlying design 75 of the hockey stick 10 through that taping guide (i.e., before application or upon removal of the tape 40 or 42).

As yet another example, although in embodiments considered above the hockey stick 10 comprises two taping guides, i.e., the taping guides 30, 32, the hockey stick 10 may comprise any number of taping guides (e.g., only one taping guide, or more than two taping guides) such as the taping guides 30, 32 in other embodiments. For instance, in some embodiments, the hockey stick 10 may comprise the taping guide 30 at the blade 18 but the taping guide 32 at the handle 20 may be omitted.

As yet another example, in some embodiments, the taping guides 30, 32 may be provided separately from the hockey stick 10. For instance, in some embodiments, the taping guides 30, 32 may be obtained (e.g., purchased) and installed onto the hockey stick 10. This may allow the taping guides 30, 32 to be used on any hockey stick. In such embodiments, the taping guides 30, 32 may include or be accompanied with information that indicates where they are to be installed on the hockey stick 10 (e.g., relative to reference points such as a longitudinal center of the blade 18 and the longitudinal proximal end portion 33 of the shaft 16 adjacent the handle 20).

As yet another example, in some embodiments, the shaft 16 of the hockey stick 10 may have stiffness or flexibility characteristics as discussed above without having any taping guide such as the taping guides 30, 32.

Although in this embodiment the sports implement 10 is a hockey stick, in other embodiments, the sports implement 10 may be any other implement used for striking, propelling or otherwise moving an object in a game of another sport. For example, in other embodiments, the sports implement 10 may be a lacrosse stick for a lacrosse player, in which the object-contacting member 14 of the lacrosse stick 10 comprises a lacrosse head for carrying, shooting and passing a lacrosse ball and in which the taping guide 32 facilitates application of tape on the handle 20 of the lacrosse stick 10.

In some embodiments, any feature of any embodiment described herein may be used in combination with any feature of any other embodiment described herein.

Certain additional elements that may be needed for operation of certain embodiments have not been described or illustrated as they are assumed to be within the purview of those of ordinary skill in the art. Moreover, certain embodiments may be free of, may lack and/or may function without any element that is not specifically disclosed herein.

In describing embodiments above, terminology is resorted to for the sake of clarity but the invention is not intended to be limited to specific terms used, and it is understood that each specific term comprises all equivalents.

Unless otherwise indicated, the drawings are intended to be read together with the specification and are to be considered a portion of the entire written description of the invention. As used in the preceding description, the terms “horizontal”, “vertical”, “left”, “right”, “up”, “down” and the like, as well as adjectival and adverbial derivatives thereof (e.g., “horizontally”, “rightwardly”, “upwardly”, “radially”, etc.), simply refer to the orientation of the illustrated structure. Similarly, the terms “inwardly,” “outwardly” and “radially” generally refer to the orientation of a surface relative to its axis of elongation, or axis of rotation, as appropriate.

Although various embodiments and examples have been presented, this was for the purpose of describing, but not limiting, the invention. Various modifications and enhancements will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art and are within the scope of the invention, which is defined by the appended claims. 

1. A hockey stick comprising: an elongate member to be held by a hockey player; and a taping guide for guiding application of tape on the hockey stick.
 2. The hockey stick of claim 1, wherein the taping guide indicates where to start applying the tape and where to stop applying the tape.
 3. The hockey stick of claim 1, wherein the taping guide indicates a direction in which the tape is to be applied.
 4. The hockey stick of claim 1, wherein the taping guide indicates a pitch of the tape to be wrapped about the hockey stick.
 5. The hockey stick of claim 1, wherein the taping guide comprises text relating to application of the tape.
 6. The hockey stick of claim 1, wherein the taping guide comprises a symbol relating to application of the tape.
 7. The hockey stick of claim 1, wherein the taping guide comprises a gradation relating to application of the tape.
 8. The hockey stick of claim 1, wherein the hockey stick comprises a blade and the taping guide is located at the blade.
 9. The hockey stick of claim 1, wherein the elongate member comprises a handle and the taping guide is located at the handle.
 10. The hockey stick of claim 1, wherein the taping guide is a first taping guide, the tape is first tape, and the hockey stick comprises a second taping guide for guiding application of second tape on the hockey stick, the second taping guide being spaced apart from the first taping guide.
 11. The hockey stick of claim 10, wherein the hockey stick comprises a blade, the elongate member comprises a handle, the first taping guide is located at the blade, and the second taping guide is located at the handle.
 12. The hockey stick of claim 1, wherein the taping guide is a graphical taping guide.
 13. The hockey stick of claim 12, wherein the graphical taping guide is a printed taping guide.
 14. The hockey stick of claim 13, wherein the printed taping guide comprises a sticker adhered on a surface of the hockey stick.
 15. The hockey stick of claim 1, wherein the taping guide comprises a decal.
 16. The hockey stick of claim 1, wherein the taping guide comprises ink or paint applied directly on a surface of the hockey stick.
 17. The hockey stick of claim 1, wherein the taping guide is adhered on a surface of the hockey stick.
 18. The hockey stick of claim 17, wherein the taping guide comprises an outer surface configured to bond with the tape such that a bond between the taping guide and the tape is releasable to allow removal of the tape without destroying the taping guide.
 19. The hockey stick of claim 17, wherein, when the tape is applied, a bond between the taping guide and the surface of the hockey stick is stronger than a bond between the tape and the taping guide.
 20. The hockey stick of claim 1, wherein a shape of the taping guide allows the tape to adhesively bond at non-covered regions of a periphery of the hockey stick that are not covered by the taping guide.
 21. The hockey stick of claim 1, wherein the taping guide is transparent to show an underlying design of the hockey stick through the taping guide.
 22. The hockey stick of claim 1, comprising an end cap mountable to the elongate member adjacent a handle.
 23. A hockey stick comprising: a blade; a shaft to be held by a hockey player, the shaft comprising a handle; a blade-taping guide for guiding application of tape on the blade; and a handle-taping guide for guiding application of tape on the handle.
 24. A taping guide for a hockey stick, the taping guide comprising: an inner surface for interfacing with the hockey stick; and an outer surface for guiding application of tape on the hockey stick.
 25. A kit for use with a hockey stick, the hockey stick comprising an elongate member to be held by a hockey player, the kit comprising: a taping guide for guiding application of tape on the hockey stick; and an end cap mountable to the elongate member adjacent a handle.
 26. A sports implement comprising: an elongate member to be held by a player; and a graphical taping guide for guiding application of tape on the sports implement.
 27. A sports implement comprising: an elongate member to be held by a player; an end cap mountable to the elongate member adjacent a handle; and a taping guide for guiding application of tape on the sports implement.
 28. A shaft for a hockey stick, the shaft comprising a handle to be held by a hockey player, the shaft having a cross-section that has a major axis defining a major dimension of the cross-section of the shaft and a minor axis defining a minor dimension of the cross-section of the shaft, the shaft being such that a stiffness of the hockey stick in bending about the major axis of the cross-section of the shaft is lower than 4.35 kN/m.
 29. A shaft for a hockey stick, the shaft comprising a handle to be held by a hockey player, the shaft having a cross-section that has a major axis defining a major dimension of the cross-section of the shaft and a minor axis defining a minor dimension of the cross-section of the shaft, the shaft having an effective cross-sectional area defined as a product of the major dimension and the minor dimension of the cross-section of the shaft, the shaft being such that a ratio of (1) a stiffness of the hockey stick in bending about the major axis of the cross-section of the shaft over (2) a ratio of (i) the effective cross-sectional area of the shaft over (ii) a length of the hockey stick is lower than 1.2 [kN/m]/[cm²/m]. 